Arrivabene criticises Pirelli F1 tyre test secrecy

Maurizio Arrivabene has hit out at the decision to hold the forthcoming post-season Abu Dhabi tyre test behind closed doors.

Two days after the chequered flag falls on the 2015 season, every team except Manor will remain at Yas Marina to help Pirelli test the new ‘ultra soft’ tyre that will debut with purple sidewall markings next year.

The 1 December test will take place between 9am and 9pm, but results will not be published for “some days” afterwards.

“For all these reasons Pirelli and the teams have with regret taken the joint decision to keep the test closed to the media,” the Italian tyre company announced.

Ferrari boss Arrivabene, however, has revealed that he does not agree with that decision.

“I’m quite the opposite and would open it up completely to the media — formula one needs any advertising it can get, not testing behind closed doors,” he is quoted by Speed Week.

Meanwhile, after an impressive race by Sebastian Vettel in Brazil, Arrivabene declined to hit out at Niki Lauda for suggesting in the media last week that Ferrari has now caught up with Mercedes in engine power.

“Honestly, if Niki said it, I would have reacted with suspicion,” he smiled.

“But judging by the numbers, we are really close to them now and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the engine guys, because the engine is the heart of the car,” Arrivabene added.

“But there are other areas we need to catch up as well, as this year we have not had the opportunity to radically alter the chassis, but for next year we will.”